Victorian Refugee Health Network E-bulletin March 2008The Victorian Refugee Health Network brings together health, settlement and community services to be more accessible and responsive to the needs of refugees and asylum seekers. The E- bulletin provides a regular forum to share news and information to support practitioners and services in providing health care to people of a refugee background.News and Events1. Refugee health & wellbeing: Intensive Introduction for Nurses is a 2 day training organised by the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture. It has been developed for newly or recently appointed refugee health nurses and other community based nurses who are seeking an overview of refugee health and wellbeing to inform their practice. It will be held Monday March 30th & Tuesday March 31st at Foundation House, 6 Gardiner St, Brunswick. Please click here for information and registration or register at: PDregistrations@foundationhouse.org.au 2. Dandenong GP Services to Medicare-ineligible Asylum Seekers: the Dandenong Hospital Refugee Health Clinic has now commenced providing GP Services to Medicare-ineligible Asylum Seekers. This service will run fortnightly on Monday afternoons, beginning 16th March 2009. There will be no service charge for eligible Asylum Seekers. Pharmaceuticals may attract a small co-payment. Click here for information outlining details, eligibility and referral procedures or contact: Dr. I-Hao Cheng Refugee Health Program Coordinator, Dandenong Casey GP Association. 3. Dr Comfort Momoh: leading expert on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). In April 2009, the Royal Women’s Hospital is sponsoring Dr Momoh to conduct a series of FGM lectures and workshops in Melbourne for health professionals, policy officers and members of affected communities. For the information brochure click here. Enquiries or session booking requests may be directed to: Dr Fleur Llewelyn, Manager, The Women’s Clinical Education Team: fleur.llewelyn@thewomens.org.au 4. Harmony Day is celebrated on 21st March and 2009 will mark its 10th anniversary. Through its central message of Everyone Belongs, Harmony Day celebrates cultural diversity, community participation, inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging. The Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC) supports a range of community events and activities by providing free promotional products. To participate in Harmony Day: www.harmony.gov.au/harmony-day 5. Beyond the Refugee Journey: AMES Humanitarian Settlement Conference, July 2009 will be held in Melbourne from 21 - 23 July. The conference will present opportunities to explore and showcase innovative and effective models of settlement service provision, assess the impact of pre-arrival experiences on refugee settlement and celebrate the lives of refugees who have made Australia their home. Find out more information and register at: www.ames.net.au/settlementconference or email: settlement@ames.net.au Resources6. Healthy Living in Australia: The Migrant Information Centre Eastern Melbourne has produced a 44 page pictorial guide to living healthy in Australia (available in Arabic, Chin (Hakha) Chinese, English and Karen). This resource is based on foods readily available in Australia to assist newly arrived community members make healthy food choices. Click here for information or an order form, or contact Hannah Kinross on (03) 9275 6907 or email: hkinross@miceastmelb.com.au 7. Diversity News is a monthly E-Bulletin produced by the DHS Diversity Unit. It provides a regular summary of diversity activity in Victoria, as well as a snapshot of research, resources and upcoming events. To subscribe/unsubscribe or for further information regarding Diversity News email: diversity@dhs.vic.gov.au Professional Development 9. Family Violence Training Workshop for Practitioners Working with South Sudanese: The Migrant Information Centre (MIC) Eastern Melbourne is running a series of training workshops in locations around Victoria, based on the recently launched training manual and DVD. It will be an opportunity to learn about new approaches in working effectively with the Southern Sudanese community for the prevention and intervention of family violence. Workshops will be held March-June in Box Hill, Dandenong, Preston, Footscray, Morwell and Colac. For more information call Jessica Bishop on (03) 9285 4888 or email: jbishop@miceastmelb.com.au 10. Shepparton: Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre are offering a free training course 'Working Together with Alcohol and Drug Issues in Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Communities'. It will be held on 18th and 19th March, 9.30am - 4pm at Eastbank Centre, 70 Welsford St, Shepparton. For information contact Phoebe Spry-Bailey at: phoebes@turningpoint.org.au or (03) 84138713Research.
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